NPI Internship Program Disclaimer:
Please note that internship postings offered through the Neon Pacific Initiative (NPI) program are prioritized for students who are already part of the cohort. To be eligible for NPI, students must be in good academic standing (2.0+ GPA) and commit to completing 120 hours at pre-approved internship sites. Additionally, participation in the NPI internship program requires attending monthly cohort meetings and completing COLA 402. For more details, please refer to the NPI internship overview here. You will be eligible for a $2500 stipend for completing your 120 hours at the internship site.
As this is an NPI internship, the application deadline will be earlier than other job postings for the UNLV COLA Internship Program. The firm closing date for this opportunity is November 7, 2025.
About The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southern Nevada (NAMI):
VISION
A community where everyone feels safe to openly discuss mental health and has the ability to seek and access help with support, dignity, and respect.
MISSION
Improving quality of life by increasing awareness and reducing stigma surrounding mental health conditions through support, education, and advocacy.
Internship Role Title:
Program Intern
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist in determining which education programs are currently required based on inquiry, community need, and previously held classes within the year
- Assist in contacting teachers/trainers and community partners directly to coordinate potential dates, requests training space availability based on volunteered space
- Assist in providing links for presenters to access training and presentation material. Update presenters, facilitators and teachers on changes to each program, class, and presentation as updates are made available through NAMI National and State
- Determine the effectiveness of presentations, classes, and facilitation based on participant responses and facilitator/teacher concerns
- Evaluate facilitator training/retraining needs Maintains communication with facilitators and presenters to verify ongoing availability
- Communicates with facilitators, presenters, participants, and NAMI Southern Nevada community for events, support groups, presentations, and education classes
- Responds to questions via email, text, and phone calls by both interested individuals, and forwarded contact requests from admin phone. Completes referrals for individuals seeking assistance from community partners
Materials and Supplies
- Creates marketing materials for upcoming training/courses for dissemination to community participants
- Provides class materials including instructor guides and participant manuals, meals and snacks for each training/course
- Request and replenish supplies for facilitators and upcoming classes
- Determine supplies needed for facilitator and teacher dissemination to support groups, community partners, and participants
Record Keeping and Data Reporting
- Maintains member profiles and updates program leader designations, support group listings, membership actions, training reporting, education class reporting, and online training connections through NAMI 720 and NAMI portal
- Compiles monthly education report and other reports as necessary for grants
- Promote NAMI resources throughout the community
- Representing NAMI in the community by attending tabling events, community meetings and promoting working relationships with other agencies, including giving presentations
- Assist with creating and distributing flyers for community events Maintaining relationships, communicating and meeting with external community partners (nonprofits, hospitals, clinics, local schools, service providers, community groups, churches, senior programs, youth programs, and others) to share program brochures, program/event updates, etc.
- Participating in weekly staff meeting to update the staff on progress
- Other tasks as assigned by Executive Director, NAMI staff or Board Members as needed
Helpline and Additional Organization Duties
- In conjunction with NAMI staff and interns, answer HelpLine calls
- Maintain a working knowledge of local and county resources
- Providing support to individuals including registration for programs, navigating community resources, and helping them access public benefits as needed
- Answering HelpLine phone calls within 24-48 hours and recording data on communication log
- Additional duties not listed as assigned by Executive Director, Program Director, or Programs Managers
Teaching Objectives:
- Program Development: Understanding how to design and implement mental health programs and workshops
- Advocacy: Learning about policy issues, advocacy strategies, and how to raise awareness about mental health issues
- Administrative Skills: Gaining experience with grant writing, data entry, and nonprofit management tasks
- Public Speaking and Presentation: Opportunities to present information in workshops, meetings, or community events.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Working with a multidisciplinary team and learning how to collaborate effectively.
**IMPORTANT PLEASE READ**
This internship is part of the College of Liberal Arts Internship Program and includes the required enrollment in COLA 402, the Career and Professional Development course. COLA 402 plays a vital role in your professional growth, providing you with key skills and strategies for your career. Through this program, you will have the opportunity to test out a career or setting that you may want to pursue professionally, build your confidence, grow your skill sets, expand your network, and add valuable experience to your resume or CV. Additionally, you may have the chance to earn a scholarship! Depending on your completed credits and prior enrollment, your course plan for COLA 402 may be adjusted. If you have any questions about how COLA 402 fits into your degree plan, please contact the Wilson Advising Center at wac@unlv.edu.
Please remember to have three internship options in mind when filling out the application form, in case your first or second choice is unavailable.
COLA Internship Program Requirements:
Before hiring…
- Currently enrolled as a Liberal Arts major
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Completed 60 credits (at time of internship)
- CBRI Only: Completed at least one research methods course (at time of application)
After hiring…
- Enrollment in COLA 402
- 120 hours per semester
- Monthly surveys
